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According to a survey conducted by the Society for Human Resources Development, 74 percent of companies monitor their employees' use of the Internet. Companies can legally monitor employees' activities if they have written policies stating they should not have an expectation of privacy at work. Employees who use company phones, Internet, computers and vehicles are responsible for following company policies and guidelines. Companies are responsible for notifying employees on what type of usage is acceptable and the consequence for misuse. Companies also must be aware of types of surveillance that cross the line and intrude on an individual's right to privacy.

Company Phones

Just about everyone has heard the disclaimer, "This call may be monitored or recorded for training purposes," when calling a customer service line. Phones used in the course of conducting company business belong to the company and can be monitored. Many companies issue company cellphones with the requirement that they be used for company business only. In the event of an investigation for disciplinary actions, cellphone records for calls or text messages may be used as evidence and are the property of the company.

Internet Access on Company Computers

Time spent surfing the Web for non-business use affects productivity and can open the company's computer systems to hacking and viruses. Employees conducting personal business, surfing illicit websites or engaging in illegal activities using social networking can cause embarrassment to the company and implicate them in the illegal activities as well. Companies should have specific and inclusive Internet usage policies that are either part of the company handbook or a separate policy that requires an employee signature upon receipt.

Email and Texting

Emails, correspondence, invoices, contracts and other forms of electronic communications are legal documents, either between the company and customers or other people doing business with the company. They also can be used as evidence in lawsuits or other disputes. Employees should understand the boundaries between company and personal use. Using the company email for personal matters opens up opportunity for claims of sexual harassment, threats or discrimination.

Company Vehicles

Companies can monitor employees who use company vehicles to conduct business, such as salespeople, service technicians or maintenance staff, with GPS systems. There is opportunity for these employees to conduct personal business, go home, visit friends or just waste time since they are offsite for most of their work day. Since they are being paid for their time, companies have the right to expect that they spend that time on company business.

Employees' Right to Privacy

There are limits to monitoring or conducting surveillance of employees' activities at work. Companies cannot put cameras areas where employees should expect privacy, such as restrooms or changing rooms. Since employees at work occasionally have to make personal calls, monitoring systems should have the capability to stop recording or listening when it is obvious that the employee's call is personal. Company policies can include random or planned search of employees' personal belongings if the policy is distributed to employees and the employee signs an authorization acknowledging they received and understand the policy and the consequences for violating any policies and procedures regarding employee privacy. Any policies regarding employee privacy should be reviewed by an employment attorney familiar with state and federal law.

About the Author

Mary Nestor-Harper has more than 12 years as a human-resources director and more than 19 years experience as an HR/management consultant. She has been published in "Training Magazine," "The Savannah Morning News" and on the Web. A television and radio business, career and motivation expert, she shares career and job search tips as Ageless Media Network's career expert on WTKS-AM 1290, Savannah, Ga.